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Developing our people

We are committed to providing career development opportunities.

As a pioneering global organisation, investment in our people is investment in our future.

We aim to create an environment where all employees have the opportunity to develop, learn and grow. We guide and support our employees to create robust career plans, enabling them to reach their full potential and achieve their professional goals.

Talent development

We are committed to working with all employees to develop their talents, skills and abilities.

Employee advancement is merit-based, reflecting performance as well as demonstration of core competencies which include our values, with an emphasis on ethics and integrity.

Each year, we conduct a global talent review process to identify our high-potential employees and ensure they have discussions with their managers about their career pathways and development. This results in clear, actionable plans for projects, assignments and opportunities to develop their skills and build further capabilities.

International postings

As a global company, operating in over 100 countries, we are able to offer our people career advancement opportunities around the world.

CEO Forum for top talent

Each year, we hold a CEO Forum for our top talent, providing them with the opportunity to work closely with their peers and our executive team on strategic challenges.

"It has been the single most memorable development in my entire career. Having the opportunity to interact with our CEO and his team was truly amazing." CEO Participant, CEO Forum, 2017

Annual CEO awards

Our annual CEO awards are open to all employees. The awards recognise exceptional results in line with our core values, encouraging innovation and a spirit of continuous improvement at all levels.

Smith & Nephew Young Professionals (SNYP) Forum

We see our young professionals as the future of our company.

The Smith & Nephew Young Professionals forum was established and developed in 2016 by three of our graduate hires in Memphis. Within a year, the Forum had grown and spread to our sites around the world.

The Forum has the backing and active support of our senior management team and focuses on networking, best practice sharing and career path planning.

Elevate

Elevate is a monthly webinar-based development programme to support women at all stages of their careers. Elevate is designed to accelerate career development, boost performance, be practical and business led and support participants to accelerate their potential.

Leadership at Smith & Nephew

We recognize that leadership is critical to business success and we continually invest in ensuring that our leaders are equipped to be the best they can be through a series of development offerings including:

Continuous Leadership Journey

The Continuous Leadership Journey is a flexible 12 month, self-directed e-learning programme that helps individuals and managers at all levels to become better equipped to do their jobs.

Pioneer Programme

The Pioneer Programme is designed for our first-line management population across the globe. The six-month development experience focuses on strengthening leadership skills and continually developing highly competent people managers.

Leadership Edge

Our Leadership Edge programme for senior leaders focuses on helping leaders to get the most from their people by helping them to build trust and engagement.

Managing Directors Programme

Ensuring a strong talent pipeline for the future is important to us. Our Managing Director Programme is tailored to selected commercial managers to provide them with an understanding of what it takes to be a Managing Director and the opportunity to focus on strengthening their skills to become the leaders they want to be.